Patient support apparatus having an extension

ABSTRACT

A patient support apparatus having a support structure with a primary support surface for a patient, and an extension manually movable by a user relative to the support structure from a stowed position to an extended position so that the extension provides auxiliary support for the patient in the extended position. A locking device is operable to releasably hold the extension relative to the support structure in the stowed position and the extended position. A release mechanism is operable to manipulate the locking device to release the extension for movement relative to the support structure, and is movable with the extension from the stowed position to the extended position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/261,237 titled “Telescoping Assembly For Use On A Patient SupportApparatus,” filed on Sep. 9, 2016 which claims priority to and thebenefit of U.S. provisional patent application No. 62/217,588, filed onSep. 11, 2015, the disclosures of each of which are hereby incorporatedby reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

Accessories are often used in conjunction with patient supportapparatuses in hospitals and other medical care facilities. Suchaccessories can include defibrillator trays, bed extensions foraccommodating taller patients, food trays, IV poles, operator handlesfor facilitating transport, egress handles for assisting patients out ofbed, foley bag holders, calf supports, foot supports, etc. In somecases, these accessories are manually movable between stowed positionswith respect to the patient support apparatus and use positions. In thestowed position, the accessory is stored for later use. In the useposition, the accessory is ready to be used by the patient or caregiver.

Telescoping mechanisms are sometimes employed to extend an accessoryfrom the stowed position into the use position. Typical telescopingmechanisms comprise a locking device that locks a telescoping member inan extended position relative to a base support. A separate releasedevice is actuated by the patient or caregiver to unlock the lockingdevice and release the telescoping member so that the telescoping membercan be collapsed in order to move the accessory back to the stowedposition. In order to actuate the release device, the patient orcaregiver normally holds the accessory or the telescoping member withone hand, while engaging the release device with the other hand.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a patient support apparatus with atelescoping assembly.

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the patient support apparatus with anaccessory of the telescoping assembly in the use position.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the telescoping assembly with theaccessory in the stowed position.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the telescoping assembly with theaccessory raised with respect to a telescoping support.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the telescoping assembly with theaccessory beginning to raise the telescoping support with respect to abase support.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the telescoping assembly with theaccessory in the use position and the telescoping support in an extendedposition.

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of the accessory in the useposition.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the telescoping assembly with theaccessory beginning to lower the telescoping support to a collapsedposition.

FIGS. 8A and 8B collectively are an exploded view of the telescopingassembly.

FIG. 9 is a perspective and partially exploded view of an alternativetelescoping assembly.

FIG. 10 is a perspective and partially exploded view of anotheralternative telescoping assembly.

FIG. 11 is a perspective and partially exploded view of anotheralternative telescoping assembly.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative telescoping supportand an alternative locking device.

FIGS. 13A and 13B are cross-sectional views of another alternativelocking device.

FIG. 14 is a perspective and partially cross-sectional view of anotheralternative locking device.

FIGS. 15A and 15B are cross-sectional views of the alternative lockingdevice of FIG. 14 .

FIG. 16 is an elevational view of an extension in an extended position.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the extension.

FIGS. 18A and 18B are cross-sectional views of a locking device inlocked and unlocked positions.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view inside of a housing of the locking deviceof FIGS. 18A and 18B.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view outside of the housing of the lockingdevice of FIGS. 18A and 18B.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a locking element.

FIG. 22 is a top perspective view of a release member.

FIG. 23 is a bottom perspective view of the release member.

FIG. 24 is an illustration of a gear assembly for use with an extension.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of a cable support and a cable weavedthrough openings in the cable support.

FIGS. 26A and 26B are elevational views showing the extension inextended and stowed positions, respectively, with the cable supportsupporting the cable between the extended and stowed positions.

FIG. 27 is top perspective view of the cable support in a flexed state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, a patient support apparatus 30 is shownfor supporting a patient. The patient support apparatus 30 illustratedin FIGS. 1A and 1B is a hospital bed. In other embodiments, however, thepatient support apparatus 30 may be a stretcher, cot, wheelchair,operating table, or similar apparatus.

A variety of accessories are used on the patient support apparatus 30.Some of the accessories are movable between stowed positions, in whichthey are stored prior to use, and use positions in which they are readyto be used by a caregiver, patient, or other user. One such accessory 32for use on the patient support apparatus 30 is shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B.The accessory 32 shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B comprises an accessory member34 in the form of a defibrillator tray 35. The defibrillator tray 35 isshown in the stowed position in FIG. 1A. In FIG. 1B, the defibrillatortray 35 has been raised from the stowed position by the user and rotateddown into the use position. In further embodiments, some of which aredescribed below, other accessories may comprise a hook for an IV pole,an operator handle for facilitating transport, an egress handle forassisting patients, a calf support, a foot support, a bed extension foraccommodating taller patients, a food tray, a foley bag holder, or anyother movable accessory member.

A support structure 36 provides support for the patient. In someembodiments, one or more of the accessories, such as the accessory 32,may be mounted to the support structure 36. The support structure 36comprises a base frame 37 and an intermediate frame 38. The intermediateframe 38 is spaced above the base frame 37. A mattress 40 is disposed onthe intermediate frame 38. The mattress 40 comprises a patient supportsurface 42 upon which the patient is supported. The support structure 36also comprises a patient support deck 44 disposed on the intermediateframe 38. The patient support deck 44 comprises sections to support themattress 40 and the patient, some of which are pivotable relative to theintermediate frame 38, such as a head section, a seat section, a thighsection, and a foot section. The construction of support structure 36may take on any known or conventional design.

Four wheels 46 are coupled to the support structure 36 to facilitatetransport over floor surfaces. The wheels 46 rotate and swivel relativeto the support structure 36 during transport. In the embodiment shown,each of the wheels 46 forms part of a caster 48 coupled to the baseframe 37. It should be understood that various configurations of thewheels 46 are contemplated and that each of the four wheels 46 may benon-steerable, steerable, non-powered, powered, or combinations thereof.Fewer or additional wheels are also contemplated. For example, thesupport structure 36 may comprise four non-powered wheels, along withone or more powered wheels.

Side rails 50, 52, 54, 56 are coupled to the intermediate frame 38. Insome embodiments, one or more of the accessories, such as the accessory32, may be mounted to the side rails 50, 52, 54, 56. The first side rail50 is positioned at a right head end of the intermediate frame 38. Thesecond side rail 52 is positioned at a right foot end of theintermediate frame 38. The third side rail 54 is positioned at a lefthead end of the intermediate frame 38. The fourth side rail 56 ispositioned at a left foot end of the intermediate frame 38. If thepatient support apparatus 30 is a stretcher or a cot, there may be fewerside rails. The side rails 50, 52, 54, 56 are movable between a raisedposition in which they block ingress and egress into and out of thepatient support apparatus 30, and a lowered position in which they arenot an obstacle to such ingress and egress.

A headboard 58 and a footboard 60 are coupled to the intermediate frame38. Operator interfaces 61, such as handles, are shown integrated intothe footboard 60 to facilitate movement of the patient support apparatus30 over the floor surfaces. Separate operator interfaces may beintegrated into the headboard 58, the side rails 50, 52, 54, 56, and/orother components of the patient support apparatus 30.

The accessory 32 shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B is arranged to be stowed inthe footboard 60. More specifically, the accessory 32 forms part of atelescoping assembly 70 integrated into the footboard 60. In otherembodiments, the telescoping assembly 70 is integrated into othercomponents of the patient support apparatus 30, such as the supportstructure 36, the side rails 50, 52, 54, 56, or other components. Infurther embodiments, the telescoping assembly 70 is a stand aloneassembly that can be used in conjunction with the patient supportapparatus 30, but forms no part of the patient support apparatus 30.

The telescoping assembly 70 comprises a telescoping support 76 slidablebetween a collapsed position and an extended position with respect tothe footboard 60. The telescoping support 76 helps to support theaccessory member 34 in the use position. The telescoping support 76 isshown in the collapsed position in FIG. 1A, e.g., collapsed into thefootboard 60, and in the extended position in FIG. 1B, e.g., extendedabove the footboard 60. In the embodiment shown, the telescoping support76 extends vertically with respect to the footboard 60. However, inother embodiments, the telescoping support 76 may be arranged to extendhorizontally, or in other directions.

When the user manually moves the accessory 32 from the stowed positionto the use position, the accessory 32 carries the telescoping support 76with it from the collapsed position to the extended position. Forexample, in FIG. 1B, the defibrillator tray 35 has been moved from thestowed position to the use position by the user, thereby raising thetelescoping support 76 into the extended position where the telescopingsupport 76 has been locked in place. With the telescoping support 76held in the extended position, the defibrillator tray 35 is supportedabove the footboard 60 in the rotated-down use position as shown in FIG.1B.

Referring to FIG. 2 , the telescoping assembly 70 comprises a basesupport 78 to support the telescoping support 76. The base support 78comprises a pair of elongate, outer frame members 80. The outer framemembers 80 are spaced apart and arranged generally parallel to oneanother. The outer frame members 80 are U-shaped in cross-section todefine a pair of outer channels 82 having open ends. The outer framemembers 80 are fixed to the footboard 60. In other embodiments, theouter frame members 80 may be mounted to other components of the patientsupport apparatus 30. When the outer frame members 80 are formed ofmetal and the footboard 60 is formed of plastic, then the outer framemembers 80 may be integrated into the footboard 60 and fixed thereto byinsert molding. The outer frame members 80 may be fastened to thefootboard 60 in other ways, such as with fasteners or adhesive. Theouter frame members 80 could also be press fit into the footboard 60. Insome embodiments, the base support 78 is comprised of the structure ofthe footboard 60 without the separate outer frame members 80.

Elongate bearing members 84 are mounted and fixed to the outer framemembers 80 by fasteners. The bearing members 84 may be fastened to theouter frame members 80 in other ways, such as with adhesive. The bearingmembers 84 are U-shaped in cross-section and sized to fit in the pair ofouter channels 82 with little to no clearance between the bearingmembers 84 and the outer frame members 80. The bearing members 84comprise a pair of bearing channels 86 (see FIG. 5 ) in which thetelescoping support 76 slides between the collapsed and extendedpositions relative to the base support 78.

The bearing members 84 provide bearing surfaces against which thetelescoping support 76 slides during operation. The bearing members 84may be formed of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) known for its lowcoefficient of friction relative to other polymeric materials. This lowfriction material helps to prevent binding of the telescoping support 76during sliding. Other suitable materials for allowing sliding of thetelescoping support 76 relative to the base support 78 are alsocontemplated. It is also contemplated that in some embodiments thebearing members 84 are removed such that the telescoping support 76slides directly within the base support 78.

The telescoping support 76 comprises a pair of elongate, inner framemembers 88 that are sized to slide in the bearing channels 86 as thetelescoping support 76 moves between the collapsed and extendedpositions. The inner frame members 88 are spaced apart and arrangedgenerally parallel to one another. The inner frame members 88 areU-shaped in cross-section to define a pair of inner channels 90. Inother embodiments, the telescoping support 76 comprises a single framemember or other structure suitable to be extended for supporting theaccessory 32 in the use position.

Upper stops 92 are fixed to the inner frame members 88 at an upper endof the inner frame members 88. In the embodiment shown, the upper stops92 are in the form of plate-shaped caps welded, or otherwise fixed insome manner, to the inner frame members 88. A lower stop 94 is fixed tothe inner frame members 88 at an opposing end. The lower stop 94 isshown as a elongate, flat bar that spans between the inner frame members88 to add structural support to the telescoping support 76 and to holdthe inner frame members 88 in their parallel and spaced relationship.The lower stop 94 may be welded or otherwise affixed to the inner framemembers 88 at lower ends of the inner frame members 88.

The stops 92, 94 act to capture slide members 96 of the accessory 32 inthe inner channels 90. Capturing the slide members 96 of the accessory32 in the inner channels 90 effectively couples movement of the slidemembers 96 to the telescoping support 76 so that the telescoping support76 can be moved indirectly by the user thereby making direct contactwith the telescoping support 76 unnecessary. For instance, referringbriefly to FIG. 3 , when the user is raising the accessory 32 to placethe accessory 32 in the use position, the slide members 96 of theaccessory 32 engage the upper stops 92 so that any further raising ofthe accessory 32 raises the inner frame members 88. Likewise, when theuser is lowering the accessory 32 back to the stowed position as shownin FIG. 7 , the slide members 96 engage the lower stop 94 to also pushthe inner frame members 88 back to the collapsed position, if needed,i.e., in the event the inner frame members 88 are unable to lower underthe force of gravity, such as when the inner frame members 88 arearranged horizontally.

The slide members 96 slide in the inner channels 90 when the accessory32 moves between the stowed position and the use position. The slidemembers 96 shown in FIG. 2 have internal ribs 97 for added structuralsupport. In other embodiments, the slide members 96 are solid. The slidemembers 96 are formed of plastic or other material. A support member 99is fixed to and interconnects the slide members 96. The support member99 extends between the slide members 96 so that the slide members 96 aremaintained at a fixed distance from one another to facilitate uniformsliding of the slide members 96 in the inner channels 90. The supportmember 99 shown in FIG. 2 is a flat metal support bar, but other shapesand materials are contemplated.

The accessory 32 comprises an accessory frame 98 pivotally connected tothe slide members 96 by pivot pins 100 (see also exploded view in FIG.8B). The accessory frame 98 may be formed of metal to provide structuralsupport to the accessory member 34. The accessory frame 98 has threesegments 102, 104, 106 making the accessory frame 98 three-sided. Theaccessory member 34 has a top surface 77 (see FIG. 1B) and a bottomsurface 79. The bottom surface 79 comprises three grooves 103, 105, 107for receiving the three segments 102, 104, 106 of the accessory frame 98so that the accessory frame 98 is substantially concealed from view whenthe accessory member 34 is in the use position.

When the accessory member 34 is formed of plastic, the accessory frame98 may be insert molded in the accessory member 34. The accessory frame98 may also be fastened to the accessory member 34 by fasteners,adhesive, welding, or other suitable methods. The accessory member 34 ispivotally coupled to the slide members 96 by the pivot pins 100 so thatthe user is able to rotate the accessory member 34 into the use positionin which the accessory member 34 is arranged generally perpendicular tothe telescoping support 76, as shown in FIG. 1B.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the accessory 32 has a user interface 108 toenable the user to manually move the accessory 32 between the stowed anduse positions. In the embodiment shown, the user interface 108 is afront wall of the accessory member 34. The user grasps the userinterface 108 to apply a force to the accessory member 34 to raise theaccessory member 34 from the stowed position to the use position. Theuser interface 108 may comprise a separate handle fixed to the accessorymember 34 or simply any surface of the accessory member 34 that the userwould logically engage to move the accessory member 34 between thestowed and use positions.

Referring to FIG. 5 , locking devices 110 are operable to releasablyengage and hold the telescoping support 76 in the extended position.Each locking device 110 comprises a latch 112. The telescoping support76 comprises a pair of corresponding catches 114 (see also FIG. 4 ) forreceiving the latches 112 to hold the telescoping support 76 in theextended position. The catches 114 shown are openings in the inner framemembers 88. Each of the catches 114 are dimensioned so that the latches112 are able to protrude into the catches 114 to hold the telescopingsupport 76 in the extended position. The latches 112 are shown disposedin the catches 114 in FIG. 5 . Although two locking devices 110 areshown for engaging and holding the telescoping support 76 in theextended position, more or fewer locking devices 110 may also beutilized. For instance, in some embodiments, only a single lockingdevice 110 is used.

Housings 116 protect and support the latches 112 for sliding movement.The housings 116 are mounted to the outer frame members 80 by fasteners118 thereby coupling the latches 112 to the base support 78. In thisconfiguration, the latches 112 slide transverse relative to the basesupport 78 between locked and unlocked positions. Both the outer framemembers 80 and the bearing members 84 comprise openings 120, 122 (seeFIG. 8A) through which the latches 112 can freely move to engage thecatches 114.

Biasing devices 124 apply biasing forces to the latches 112 to bias thelatches 112 toward the telescoping support 76 so that the latches 112engages the catches 114 when the telescoping support 76 reaches theextended position, e.g., when the openings in the inner frame members 88align vertically with the latches 112. Two biasing devices 124 arepositioned between each housing 116 and associated latch 112. In otherembodiments, more or fewer biasing devices may be employed. For example,only a single biasing device 124 may be used to bias each latch 112 intothe associated catch 114. The biasing devices 124 shown are compressionsprings. Other types of biasing devices may be used including leafsprings, torsion springs, or other resilient elements.

Each of the latches 112 comprises a main body 130 having upper and lowersurfaces and opposing side surfaces extending therebetween. Legs 132extend rearwardly from the main body 130. The legs 132 are dimensionedto fit inside the respective housing 116 with little clearancethereabout to enable smooth lateral sliding of the latch 112 withrespect to the housing 116. Pins 134 are embedded in or otherwise fixedto the main body 130 of the latch 112. The pins 134 project rearwardlyfrom a rear surface of the main body 130 between the legs 132. Thebiasing devices 124 are disposed about the pins 134 to bias the rearsurface of the main body 130 away from the housing 116.

A tip 140 protrudes forward from the main body 130 of each latch 112.The tip 140 has a front profiled surface 142 that extends at obtuseangles from each of the upper and lower surfaces to define a peak of thetip 140. The tips 140 are configured so that, as shown in FIG. 5 , thetips 140 protrude into the inner channels 90 in the locked position suchthat the profiled surface 142 of each tip 140 is exposed in the innerchannels 90. At the same time, the upper and lower surfaces of the mainbody 130 of each latch 112 protrude further into the openings 120, 122in the outer frame member 80 and the bearing member 84 to reach theassociated catch 114. In the locked position, the upper and lowersurfaces terminate at an inside surface of the inner frame members 88 sothat the upper and lower surfaces are not protruding into the innerchannels 90. The profiled surface 142 of each latch 112 is profiled forengagement by one of the slide members 96 when the slide members 96slide downwardly in the inner channels 90. Other shapes of the profiledsurface 142 are contemplated. The profiled surface 142 may extend at anacute angle from one of the upper and lower surfaces of the latch 112.The profiled surface 142 may be arcuate between the upper and lowersurfaces. The profiled surface 142 may be semi-spherical. The profiledsurface 142 may be any shape capable of being engaged to release thelatch 112.

Deactivator portions 150 of the slide members 96 are configured toengage the profiled surfaces 142 of the latches 112 to release thelatches 112 when the user moves the accessory 32 from the use positionback toward the stowed position. In the embodiment shown, thedeactivator portions 150 are lower edges on the slide members 96. Inorder to disengage the latches 112, the user first grasps the userinterface 108 and rotates the accessory member 34, e.g., thedefibrillator tray 35, back to its upright position. Next, the userapplies a downward force at the user interface 108 (or simply allowsgravity to perform the work) to slide the slide members 96 downwardly inthe inner channels 90 until the deactivator portions 150, e.g., theedges of the slide members 96, engage the profiled surfaces 142 of thelatches 112. Upon applying further downward force, the deactivatorportions 150 of the slide members 96, which are held apart the fixeddistance by the support member 99, act to push the latches 112 laterallyoutwardly of the inner channels 90 thereby disengaging each of thelatches 112 from the catches 114 against the biasing force of thebiasing devices 124, as shown in FIG. 7 . Other shapes of thedeactivator portions 150 are contemplated. For instance, the deactivatorportions 150 may each comprise a ramp shaped to engage the profiledsurfaces 142 of the latches 112. The deactivator portions 150 may alsobe arcuate. The deactivator portions 150 may be any shape capable ofengaging the latches 112. The latches 112 and the deactivator portions150 may employ other shapes configured to interact so that thedeactivator portions 150 are able to disengage the latches 112 from thecatches 114.

Disengaging each of the latches 112 enables movement of the telescopingsupport 76 from the extended position back to the collapsed position.With the tips 140 pushed out of the inner channels 90 by the slidemembers 96, further downward movement of the slide members 96 engagesthe lower stop 94 and begins downward movement of the telescopingsupport 76. In the embodiment shown, the tips 140 are pushed out of theinner channels 90 such that the tips 140 no longer protrude into theinner channels 90, but are nevertheless present in the catches 114.Additionally, the upper and lower surfaces of the main body 130 havebeen pushed out of the catches 114 to reside solely in the openings 120,122 in the outer frame members 80 and bearing members 84. As a result,when the user applies further downward force at the user interface 108,the slide members 96 further push against the lower stop 94, andconcurrently, edges of the inner frame members 88 that define thecatches 114 engage the profiled surface 142. This engagement acts tofurther push the tips 140 of the latches 112 laterally outwardly towardtheir starting positions shown in FIGS. 2-4 .

The deactivator portions 150 are located remotely from the userinterface 108. As a result, when the user stows the accessory member 34using the user interface 108, the deactivator portions 150 deactivatethe locking devices 110 remotely from the user thereby enabling movementof the telescoping support 76 from the extended position back to thecollapsed position without additional user intervention or manipulation.This is particularly useful in embodiments in which the locking devices110 are inaccessible by the user. For instance, in the embodiment shown,the locking devices 110 are integrated into the footboard 60 and locatedin a pocket in the footboard 60. The user is unable to reach the lockingdevices 110 directly to unlock the locking devices 110. However, withthe configuration of the deactivator portions 150 being remote from theuser interface 108, the user is able to manipulate the user interface108 outside of the pocket to slide the deactivator portions 150 into thepocket to reach the locking devices 110 and unlock the locking devices110.

Transition of the accessory member 34, e.g., the defibrillator tray 35,from the stowed position to the use position, and associated movement ofthe telescoping support 76 from the collapsed position to the extendedposition, is illustrated in FIGS. 2-6 . FIG. 2 shows the accessory 32 inthe stowed position, before the user has grasped onto the accessorymember 34 at the user interface 108. Likewise, the telescoping support76 remains in the collapsed position.

FIG. 3 shows the user's hand grasping onto the accessory member 34 atthe user interface 108 and raising the accessory 32 upwardly out of thestowed position until the slide members 96 engage the upper stops 92.The latches 112 remain unlocked since the catches 114 are not yetaligned with the latches 112. Instead, the latches 112 are heldoutwardly by the inner frame members 88 against the biasing force of thebiasing devices 124. The biasing devices 124 are slightly compressed.

FIG. 4 shows further movement of the accessory 32 upwardly away from thestowed position. Since the slide members 96 are abutting the upper stops92, this further upward movement results in corresponding upwardmovement of the telescoping support 76. As shown in FIG. 4 , the innerframe members 88 of the telescoping support 76 have been raised slightlyrelative to the outer frame members 80. The latches 112 remain unlockedsince the catches 114 are still not aligned with the latches 112.Instead, the latches 112 are held outwardly by the inner frame members88 against the biasing force of the biasing devices 124. The biasingdevices 124 are slightly compressed.

FIG. 5 shows the accessory 32 in the use position. When the accessory 32is in the use position, the telescoping support 76 is fully raised tothe extended position. In this position, the inner frame members 88 ofthe telescoping support 76 have been raised enough so that the latches112 align with the catches 114. As a result, since the biasing devices124 urge the latches 112 into engagement, once this alignment occurs,the latches 112 automatically protrude into the catches 114 toreleasably engage and hold the inner frame members 88.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 8A, an angle bracket 160 is fixed to andinterconnects the inner frame members 88 to support the accessory member34 during use. The angle bracket 160 is located and dimensioned so that,when the accessory member 34 is rotated down into the use position, theslide members 96 are likewise abutting the upper stops 92 therebypreventing over rotation of the accessory member 34, e.g., thedefibrillator tray 35, relative to the inner frame members 88.

Transition of the accessory 32 from the use position back to the stowedposition, and associated movement of the telescoping support 76 from theextended position back to the collapsed position, is basically a reverseof the progression shown in FIGS. 2-6 . FIG. 7 shows the additional stepof the deactivator portions 150 releasing the latches 112 from thecatches 114. With the latches 112 disengaged, the telescoping support 76can be moved from the extended position to the collapsed position (stepnot shown). When the user applies further downward force at the userinterface 108, the slide members 96 further push against the lower stop94. Concurrently, edges of the inner frame members 88 that define thecatches 114 engage the profiled surfaces 142 to further push the tips140 of the latches 112 laterally outwardly toward their startingpositions depicted in FIGS. 2-4 .

Referring to FIGS. 9-11 , alternative telescoping assemblies are shown.In the embodiment of FIG. 9 , a telescoping assembly 200 is employed asan IV pole. A base support 202 is fixed to the support structure 36 ofthe patient support apparatus 30, such as to the base frame 37 or theintermediate frame 38. Two telescoping supports 204, 206 are employed inthis embodiment. The telescoping supports 204, 206 are slidable relativeto the base support 202 between collapsed positions and extendedpositions. The base support 202 and telescoping supports 204, 206 arehollow tubes having cylindrical outer walls. In other embodiments,additional telescoping supports may be employed, to provide three, four,or more telescoping supports slidable between collapsed and extendedpositions.

The telescoping supports 204, 206 comprise catches 208, 209 like thecatches described in the prior embodiments. Additionally, lockingdevices 210 having latches 212 are employed to releasably engage andhold the telescoping supports 204, 206 in the extended positions in thesame manner as previously described.

An accessory 216 comprises an accessory member 218. In this embodiment,the accessory member 218 comprises a hook 220 and an extension arm 222fixed to the hook. The accessory 216 also comprises a slide member 224pivotally coupled to the extension arm 222 by a pivot pin 225. The slidemember 224 is captured in the telescoping support 206 by upper stop 226.Upper stop 226 acts similar to the upper stops 94 of prior describedembodiments, but has a center opening defined therein for allowing theextension arm 222 to slide through the upper stop 226 when moving theaccessory 216 between the stowed position and the use position. Thecenter opening, however, is sized so that the hook 220 is unable to passthrough the center opening.

The accessory 216, shown in the use position in FIG. 9 , is stowed in asimilar manner as that described with respect to the prior embodiments.In this embodiment, user interface 228 is an outer surface of the hook220 or the extension arm 222. The user grasps the user interface 228 androtates the accessory member 218, e.g., both the hook 220 and theextension arm 222, to an upright position. In this position, the usercan then apply a downward force on the user interface 228 (or allowgravity to take over) until the slide member 224 engages a profiledsurface 230 of the latch 212 holding the telescoping support 206 in theextended position. Once the user applies further downward force, theslide member 224 disengages the latch 212 from the catch 209 in the samemanner as described in the prior embodiments. As a result, thetelescoping support 206 is released and allowed to move toward itscollapsed position.

During subsequent movement of the telescoping support 206, a lower edge232 of the telescoping support 206 engages the profiled surface 230 ofthe latch 212 holding the telescoping support 204 in the extendedposition. Applying further force to the telescoping support 206, byvirtue of applying force to the user interface 228 (hook 220 now abutsthe upper stop 226), the user is able to disengage the latch 212 holdingthe telescoping support 204 from the catch 208 in the same manner as theslide member 224 disengaged the other latch 212. With all latches 212disengaged, the telescoping supports 204, 206 are able to be moved totheir collapsed positions and the accessory 216 can be placed in thestowed position.

In the embodiment of FIG. 10 , a telescoping assembly 300 is employed asan operator handle assembly or egress handle assembly. A base support302 is fixed to the support structure 36 of the patient supportapparatus 30, such as to the base frame 37 or the intermediate frame 38.A telescoping support 304 is slidable relative to the base support 302between a collapsed position and an extended position. The base support302 and telescoping support 304 are hollow tubes having rectangularouter walls.

The telescoping support 304 comprises a catch 308 like the catchesdescribed in the prior embodiments. Additionally, a locking device 310having a latch 312 is employed to releasably engage and hold thetelescoping support 304 in the extended position in the same manner aspreviously described.

In this embodiment, an accessory 316 comprises an accessory member 318.The accessory member 318 comprises a handle 320 and an extension arm 322fixed to the handle 320. The accessory 316 also comprises a slide member324 pivotally coupled to the extension arm 322 by a pivot pin 325. Theslide member 324 is captured in the telescoping support 304 by upperstop 326. Upper stop 326 acts similar to the upper stop 226 of theembodiment of FIG. 9 . The upper stop 326 has a center opening definedtherethrough for allowing the extension arm 322 to slide through theupper stop 326 when moving the accessory 316 between the stowed positionand the use position. The center opening, however, is sized so that thehandle 320 is unable to pass through the center opening.

The accessory 316, shown in the use position in FIG. 10 , is stowed in asimilar manner as that described with respect to the prior embodiments.In this embodiment, user interface 328 is an outer surface of the handle320. The user grasps the user interface 328 and rotates the accessorymember 318, e.g., both the handle 320 and the extension arm 322, to anupright position. In this position, the user can then apply a downwardforce on the user interface 328 (or allow gravity to take over) untilthe slide member 324 engages the profiled surface 330 of the latch 312holding the telescoping support 304 in the extended position.

Once the user applies further downward force on the handle 320, theslide member 324 disengages the latch 312 from the catch 308 in the samemanner as described in the prior embodiments. As a result, thetelescoping support 304 is released and allowed to move toward itscollapsed position as the accessory 316 is moved to the stowed position.The handle 320 is configured so that the handle 320 abuts the upper stop326 when fully stowed in the telescoping support 304.

In the embodiment of FIG. 11 , a telescoping assembly 400 is employed asa calf support assembly. A base support 402 is fixed to the supportstructure 36 of the patient support apparatus 30, such as to the baseframe 37 or the intermediate frame 38. A telescoping support 404 isslidable relative to the base support 402 between a collapsed positionand an extended position. The base support 402 and telescoping support404 are hollow tubes having cylindrical outer walls.

The telescoping support 404 comprises a catch 408 like the catchesdescribed in the prior embodiments. Additionally, a locking device 410having a latch 412 is employed to releasably engage and hold thetelescoping support 404 in the extended position in the same manner aspreviously described.

In this embodiment, an accessory 416 comprises an accessory member 418.The accessory member 418 comprises a calf support seat 420 attached toan extension shaft 422. The extension shaft 422 is fixed to the calfsupport seat 420 and extends away from the calf support seat 420. Theaccessory 416 also comprises a shaft flange 424 fixed about theextension shaft 422 in spaced relation to the calf support seat 420. Inthis embodiment, the portion of the extension shaft 422 extending belowthe shaft flange 424 acts as the slide member from prior embodiments.

The telescoping support 404 has upper and lower rims 405, 407 fixed toits cylindrical outer wall. The rims 405, 407, together with associatedopenings (not shown) in the outer wall, define a transverse cylindricalpassage that passes through the telescoping support 404 in a cross-wisemanner to a main cylindrical passage. During use, the portion of theextension shaft 422 extending below the shaft flange 424 is insertedinto the transverse cylindrical passage until the flange 424 is seatedand rests on the upper rim 405. When so inserted, the user grasps thecalf support seat 420 and pulls the accessory member 418 from thecollapsed position to the extended position (extended position shown inFIG. 11 ). In this position, the latch 412 engages the catch 408.

The accessory member 418 is stowed in a similar manner as that describedwith respect to the prior embodiments. In this embodiment, userinterface 428 is an outer surface of the calf support seat 420. The usergrasps the user interface 428, pulls the extension shaft 422 from thetransverse cylindrical passage and then re-inserts the extension shaft422 into the main cylindrical passage via an end of the telescopingsupport 404, as shown by the hidden lines in FIG. 11 . The usercontinues to slide the extension shaft 422 into a hollow space definedin the telescoping support 404 until a lower edge 423 of the extensionshaft 422 engages the profiled surface 430 of the latch 412 holding thetelescoping support 404 in the extended position.

Once the user applies further force on the user interface 428 the loweredge 423 of the extension shaft 422 disengages the latch 412 from thecatch 408 in the same manner as described in the prior embodiments. As aresult, the telescoping support 404 is released and allowed to movetoward its collapsed position as the accessory 416 is moved to thestowed position. The flange 424 engages a top 429 of the telescopingsupport 404 in the stowed position.

Referring to FIG. 12 , an alternative telescoping support 500 withalternative locking device 501 is shown. The telescoping support 500comprises longitudinally spaced first and second catches 502, 504defined in an inner frame member 503. The locking device 501 comprisesan alternative latch 506 configured to engage either of the first andsecond catches 502, 504 in a locked position to provide first and secondextended positions. The inner frame member 503 comprises an innerchannel 505 for receiving the slide member (not shown) to disengage thelatch 506 from either of the first and second catches 502, 504 in thesame manner as previously described.

A tip 512 of the latch 506 has a different profiled surface as comparedto the prior embodiments. In this embodiment, an upper portion 515 ofthe profiled surface is the same as the embodiment of FIGS. 2-5 , but alower portion 517 differs in that the profiled surface extends furthertoward the housing 116. As a result of this configuration, a lowersurface 519 of main body 516 no longer extends into the first and secondcatches 502, 504, when in the locked position (shown in FIG. 12 ). Anupper surface 521 of the main body 516, however, still extends into thefirst and second catches 502, 504 in the locked position, as in theprior embodiments.

When the latch 506 is located in the first catch 502, the telescopingsupport 500 is unable to move downwardly due to the upper surface 521 ofthe main body 516 being present in the first catch 502. However, thetelescoping support 500 can be further raised upwardly since an edge 518of the inner frame member 503 defining the first catch 502 can engagethe lower portion 517 of the profiled surface and disengage the latch506 from the first catch 502 until the telescoping support 500 is raisedto a level in which the second catch 504 is aligned with the latch 506.The latch 506 then automatically engages the second catch 504 to providethe second extended position.

In other embodiments, additional catches could be employed to providefurther extended positions. For instance, additional catches couldprovide three or more extended positions. Additionally, one or morelatches could be configured to engage the catches. So, in someembodiments, two or more catches and/or two or more latches can beemployed. Smaller, more closely spaced catches could be employed toprovide smaller increments of extension between extended positions whilelarger, further spaced catches could be employed to provide largerchanges in extension between extended positions. Additionally, thelatches can be configured to act as ratchets (such as FIG. 12 ) to allowcontinuous movement of the telescoping support in one direction intoeach of the several extended positions while not allowing movement in anopposite direction without releasing the latches.

Referring to FIGS. 13A and 13B, another alternative telescoping support600 and alternative locking device 602 are shown. In this embodiment,the telescoping support 600 comprises an inner frame member 603comprising a catch 604. The locking device 602 comprises a latch 606 forengaging the catch 604 in the locked position. The latch 606 ispivotally connected to a bracket 608. The bracket 608 is fixed to a basesupport 609. The latch 606 has an engagement portion 610 for fittinginto the catch 604 in the locked position. The latch 606 also has arelease portion 612 for being engaged by the slide member 96 when theaccessory (not shown) is being moved to the stowed position.

The release portion 612 is shaped so that the release portion 612 doesnot inadvertently engage the catch 604 when the telescoping support 600is being raised to the extended position shown in FIG. 13A. To releasethe latch 606, the deactivator portion 150, e.g., the lower edge of theslide member 96, engages the release portion 612 and pivots theengagement portion 610 of the latch 606 away from the catch 604 againsta biasing force of torsion spring 620. This causes the engagementportion 610 to withdraw from the catch 604 thereby releasing thetelescoping support 600 and allowing the telescoping support 600 to bemoved downwardly to the collapsed position. Upon further downwardmovement of the telescoping support 600, a lower edge 622 of the innerframe member 603 also engages the release portion 612 to further pivotthe latch 606 out of engagement. Other shapes of the release portion 612are contemplated. For instance, the release portion 612 may have arounded or semi-spherical profile. The release portion 612 may be anyshape capable of being engaged by the deactivator portion 150 of theslide member 96.

Referring to FIGS. 14, 15A, and 15B, another alternative telescopingsupport 700 and alternative locking device 702 are shown. Thealternative telescoping support 700 comprises an inner frame member 703comprising an inner channel 705. In this embodiment, the locking device702 comprises a locking member 704 and a wedge member 706. The innerframe member 703 has an outer surface 708 and the wedge member 706 isoperable to wedge the locking member 704 against the outer surface 708to releasably engage the outer surface 708 and hold the telescopingsupport 700 in the extended position. The inner frame member 803 isarranged along a longitudinal axis and the wedge member 706 comprises awedge surface 710 arranged at an acute angle α to the longitudinal axis.

The locking device 702 comprises a biasing device 712 applying a biasingforce to the wedge member 706 to bias the wedge surface 710 toward theinner frame member 703. The biasing device 712 is shown as a compressionspring in this embodiment. Other types of biasing devices 712 are alsocontemplated. As shown in FIG. 15A, the inner frame member 703 of thetelescoping support 700 is generally immovable in a first direction whenthe locking member 704 is wedged against the outer surface 708 by thewedge surface 710. When a force F is applied to move the inner framemember 703 in the first direction, the locking member 704 is urged toroll in a manner (shown by arrow) that further wedges the locking member704 by further compressing the biasing device 712.

As shown in FIG. 15B, the inner frame member 703 of the telescopingsupport 700 is movable in a second direction, opposite the firstdirection, to infinite extended positions, as shown by arrow A. When theinner frame member 703 is moved in the second direction, the lockingmember 704 is urged to roll up the wedge surface 710 and away from beingwedged between the outer surface 708 and the wedge surface 710 (shown byarrow). Consequently, the biasing device 712 is relaxed. As a result,the inner frame member 703 of the telescoping support 700 is free tomove in the second direction. The locking member 704 is a roller, suchas a ball, in the embodiment shown.

Referring back to FIG. 14 , the inner frame member 703 comprises a slot716 for receiving a release member 718. The release member 718 is fixedto the wedge member 706 to move with the wedge member 706. The releasemember 718 is located in the slot 716 and rides in the slot 716 as theslot 716 moves when the telescoping support 700 moves from the collapsedposition to the various extended positions. To disengage the wedgemember 706 so that the telescoping support 700 can be moved back to thecollapsed position, the deactivator portion 150 of slide member 96engages a profiled surface of the release member 718 to drive therelease member 718 laterally (shown by arrows) against the bias of thebiasing device 712. This pulls the locking member 704 out of engagementwith the outer surface 708 of the inner frame member 703 allowing thetelescoping support 700 to freely move in the first direction to thecollapsed position. Other shapes of the release member 718 arecontemplated. The release member 718 may have only a single rampedsurface or may have a rounded or semi-spherical profile. The releasemember 718 and the deactivator portion 150 may employ other shapesconfigured to interact so that the deactivator portion 150 is able toengage the release member 718 and disengage the wedge member 706.

Referring to FIGS. 16 and 17 an alternative telescoping assembly 800 isshown. This alternative telescoping assembly 800 comprises an extension802 that is manually movable by a user relative to the intermediateframe 38 of the support structure 36 from a stowed position to anextended position. The extension 802 provides auxiliary support for thepatient in the extended position. In the version shown in FIG. 16 , theextension 802 is also referred to as a bed extension to extend a footend of the patient support apparatus 30 to accommodate patients ofgreater than average height.

The mattress 40 provides the primary patient support surface 42 forsupporting the patient. The primary patient support surface 42 extendslongitudinally between head and foot ends. The footboard 60 is coupledto the extension 802 to move with the extension 802 from the stowedposition to the extended position shown in FIG. 16 . When the extension802 is moved to the extended position, the footboard 60 moves away fromthe foot end of the primary patient support surface 42. This creates agap between the foot end of the primary patient support surface 42 andthe footboard 60. An auxiliary mattress 41 with an auxiliary patientsupport surface 43 is positioned in the gap to extend the patientsupport surface. In some embodiments, the extension 802 is movable atleast twelve inches from the stowed position to the extended position.In other embodiments, the extension 802 is able to move less or morethan twelve inches and may be extendable to multiple, discrete, extendedpositions.

The intermediate frame 38 comprises a pair of longitudinally orientedframe members 804 (see hidden lines in FIG. 17 ) to support theextension 802. The frame members 804 are spaced apart in a parallelrelationship. Each of the frame members 804 have a hollow tubular shapewith rectangular outer walls, e.g., rectangular tubing. In otherembodiments, the frame members 804 may be cylindrical or other shapes ora single frame member may be employed. Various structures arecontemplated to support the extension 802 during movement between thestowed position and the extended position.

The extension 802 comprises a base structure 806 with upper and lowerbase flanges 808, 810. Legs 812 are fixed to the base structure 806between the base flanges 808, 810. The legs 812 may be fixed to the baseflanges 808, 810 by welding, fasteners, or other suitable methods. Thelegs 812 extend from the base structure 806 into the frame members 804to slide relative to the frame members 804. More specifically, the legs812 are spaced apart in a parallel relationship and otherwise arrangedso that the legs 812 slide inside the frame members 804. Each of thelegs 812 comprises upper and lower leg flanges 814, 816 and a side wall818 extending between the leg flanges 814, 816.

Posts 818 are fixed to the base flanges 808, 810 of the base structure806. Only two posts 818 are shown at one end of the base structure 806,but two identical posts 818 (not shown) are also positioned at anopposite end of the base structure 806. The footboard 60 hascorresponding sockets to receive the posts 818 (see FIG. 16 ). Thefootboard 60 is removably coupled to the base structure 806 via thesockets. In other embodiments, the footboard 60 is fixed to the basestructure 806 and thereby integrated into the extension 802. In stillother embodiments, the footboard 60 is absent.

Panel 820 is fixed to the upper base flange 808 of the base structure806 by welding, fasteners, or other suitable methods. The panel 820extends from the upper base flange 808 and over the legs 812 to providea support surface upon which the auxiliary mattress 41 can be placed. Asshown in FIG. 16 , the panel 820 slides relative to a foot section 45 ofthe patient support deck 44 as the extension 802 moves between thestowed position and the extended position. The panel 820 may simplyslide beneath the foot section 45 of the patient support deck 44 whenthe extension 802 is moved to the stowed position. In other embodiments,a cross member (not shown) is disposed between the frame members 804.The panel 820 slides on top of the cross member during movement betweenthe stowed and extended positions.

A bearing sleeve 822 is disposed in ends of each of the frame members804 to slidably receive the legs 812. The bearing sleeves 822 may beformed of PTFE or similar materials. This helps to facilitate smoothsliding of the legs 812 in the frame members 804. The bearing sleeves822 are sized to fit snugly inside ends of the frame members 804. Eachbearing sleeve has an end flange 824 sized to abut the ends of the framemembers 804.

Locking devices 826 are operable to releasably hold the extension 802relative to the frame members 804 in the stowed position and theextended position(s). The locking devices 826 comprise locking elements828 that are arranged to releasably engage the frame members 804 to lockthe legs 812 to the frame members 804 in predetermined longitudinallocations associated with the stowed position and the extendedposition(s).

In the embodiment shown, the locking elements 828 are latches in theform of shear pins. In other embodiments, the locking elements maycomprise detents for temporary holding, snap-lock engagements, frictionlocks, magnetic locks and the like. The locking elements 828 are coupledto the legs 812 of the extension 802 to move with the extension 802relative to the frame members 804 from the stowed position to theextended position. In other embodiments, the locking elements 828 may becoupled to the frame members 804 to remain longitudinally fixed as theextension 802 moves.

Each of the frame members 804 comprises openings 830, 832 in outer wallsof the frame members 804 that are sized to receive the locking elements828. The openings 830, 832 are placed at discrete, spaced locations. Theopenings 830, 832 comprise a first opening 830 associated with thestowed position and a second opening 832 associated with the extendedposition. In embodiments in which the locking elements 828 are coupledto the frame members to remain longitudinally fixed to the framemembers, the openings are defined in the legs. In embodiments havingmultiple, extended positions, additional openings are present in theframe members 804 for the other extended positions.

Each of the locking devices 826 comprises a housing 836 connected toends of the legs 812. The housings 836 support the locking elements 828on the legs 812 so that the locking elements 828 move with the legs 812when the extension 802 moves between the stowed position and theextended position. Fasteners 837 attach the housings 836 to each of thelegs 812. The housings 836 may also be press fit on the legs 812, weldedto the legs, or attached using other suitable methods.

Each housing 836 comprises a top wall 838, a bottom wall 840, and an endwall 842. A side wall 844 extends between the top wall 838 and bottomwall 840 on one side of the housing 836. The housings 836 are open onthe opposite side to receive the legs 812. More specifically, the legflanges 814, 816 of each of the legs 812 fit snugly within therespective housing 836 between the top wall 838 and the bottom wall 840.In other embodiments, the housings fit between the leg flanges 814, 816such that the top and bottom walls are snugly disposed between the legflanges 814, 816. The housings 836 are formed of a material suitable forsmooth sliding in the frame members 804, such as PTFE. In embodiments inwhich the housings fit between the leg flanges 814, 816, a rotatableguide wheel (not shown) may be attached to the end of each leg 812adjacent the housing to facilitate sliding of the legs 812 inside theframe members 804.

Referring to FIGS. 18A, 18B, and 19-21 , each housing 836 comprises aguide 846 disposed on the side wall 844 and extending from the side wall844. The guide 846 comprises a pocket 848 for receiving one of thelocking elements 828. The guide 846 is shown in the form of two arcuatewall sections 850, 852 of a partial hollow cylinder, with gap 854 (seeFIG. 19 ). The gap 854 is provided to accommodate the shape of thelocking elements 828. In particular, referring to FIG. 21 , each lockingelement 828 is T-shaped and comprises a body 860 and pegs 862 that arefixed to the body 860 and extend radially outwardly from the body 860.The gaps 854 are sized and shaped to receive the pegs 862. The body 860of each locking element 828 extends from the pegs 862 and protrudesthrough an opening 864 in the side wall 818 of the leg 812 to engage oneof the openings 830, 832 in the frame 804.

A lock biasing device 866 is located in each of the housings 836. Thelock biasing device 866 is located between the side wall 844 of thehousing 836 and the locking element 828. The lock biasing devices 866apply a biasing force to each of the locking elements 828 to normallybias the locking elements 828 into the locked position. In theembodiment shown, the lock biasing devices 866 normally bias the lockingelements 828 toward engagement with one of the openings 830, 832 whenone of the openings 830, 832 becomes aligned with the locking elements828. The lock biasing device 866 shown in FIGS. 18A and 18B is acompression spring. Other biasing devices are also contemplated such astorsion springs, leaf springs, other resilient elements, and otherdevices suitable to normally place the locking elements 828 in thelocked position.

Referring back to FIG. 17 , a release mechanism 868 is operable tomanipulate the locking elements 828 of the locking devices 826 todisengage the locking elements 828 from the frame members 804 andrelease the extension 802 for movement. The release mechanism 868comprises a release handle 870 located and sized for grasping by theuser so that the user can manipulate the release mechanism 868 torelease the extension 802 for movement. In the embodiment shown, therelease handle 870 extends downwardly, away from the extension 802, foreasy access by the user beneath the extension 802. Other locations andconfigurations of the release handle 870 are also contemplated. Forinstance, the release handle 870 may be located outside a footprint ofthe patient support apparatus 30. The release handle 870 could also belocated adjacent one of the foot end side rails 52, 56.

In the embodiment shown, the release handle 870 is integrated into theextension 802 such that the release handle 870 moves with the extension802. More specifically, for instance, the release handle 870 is carriedlongitudinally with the extension 802, away from the foot end of themattress 40, when the extension 802 is moved from the stowed position tothe extended position, shown in FIG. 16 .

Referring to FIGS. 18A, 18B, 22, and 23 , the release mechanism 868 alsocomprises a pair of release members 872. The release members 872 arecoupled to the release handle 870. The release members 872 sliderelative to the locking elements 828 and longitudinally with respect tothe patient support apparatus 30 upon one-handed actuation of therelease handle 870 by the user. This movement of the release members 872simultaneously urges the locking elements 828 away from the framemembers 804 to disengage the locking elements 828 from the frame members804 and release the extension 802 for movement.

Each of the release members 872 comprises a pair of ramps 874 thatcomprise a release surface. The release surface is configured to movethe locking elements 828 and disengage the locking elements 828 from theframe members 804 upon actuation of the release handle 870 by the user.FIG. 18A shows one of the release members 872 prior to actuation. FIG.18B shows the release member 872 after actuation. As shown in FIG. 18B,when the release member 872 is actuated, the ramps 874 operate to slidethe pegs 862 in the gap 854 against the lock biasing device 866 therebycompressing the lock biasing device 866 and withdrawing the body 860 ofthe locking element 828 out of the opening 832.

Referring to FIGS. 17 and 18A, in the embodiment shown, linkage 876couples the release members 872 to the release handle 870. The linkage876 comprises a pair of links 878 and a cross member 880 with arms 882.The links 878 are pivotally coupled at one end to the release members872 by pivot pins 883. The links 878 are pivotally coupled at anopposite end to the arms 882 by pivot pins 885. The cross member 880 hasopposing ends rotatably coupled to the legs 812 of the extension 802 bypivot pins 887. The arms 882 are spaced apart and fixed to the crossmember 880 to rotate with the cross member 880.

The release handle 870 is fixed to the cross member 880 at a locationapproximately equidistant between the opposing ends of the cross member880. When the user grasps and rotates the release handle 870, the crossmember 880 and arms 882 are likewise rotated, which pulls on both of thelinks 878 and slides both of the release members 872 relative to thelocking elements 828 to simultaneously unlock the locking elements 828in the manner previously described. Although the release handle 870 isdescribed as being rotated by the user to release the extension 802,other forms of release actuator other than the rotating release handle870 are contemplated. For instance, the release actuator may comprise aslider that moves linearly relative to the extension 802 to release theextension 802.

Various configurations of the linkage 876 are also contemplated totranslate movement of the release handle 870 to the locking elements 828so that one-handed operation of the release handle 870 unlocks thelocking elements 828 from the frame members 80. For instance, the links878 shown are elongate bars, but could comprise cables, chains, or othertypes of links. Additionally, the release handle 870 is shown fixed tothe cross member 880, but could also be fixed to one of the links 878.

Each housing 836 comprises a first abutment structure 884 having threewalls to define a first space. Likewise, each release member 872comprises a second abutment structure 886 having three walls to define asecond space. The first and second abutment structures 884, 886cooperate in the manner shown in FIGS. 18A and 18B to define a pocketfor receiving a release biasing device 888. The release biasing device888 is shown in the form of a compression spring, but may take otherforms previously mentioned. The release biasing device 888 is showncompressed in FIG. 18B as a result of actuation of the release handle870. Owing to the biasing force applied by the release biasing device888, when the user releases the release handle 870, the release biasingdevice 888 pushes the release member 872 back to a pre-actuationposition, as shown in FIG. 18A, which also restores the release handle870 to its pre-actuation position.

Referring to FIG. 24 , in some embodiments, a gear assembly 890 could beprovided to time movement of legs 892 into the frame members 804 suchthat the legs 892 move in unison. The gear assembly 890 comprises timinggears 894 that are fixed together to rotate in unison by a cross bar896. The cross bar 896 is rotatably coupled to the frame members 804.The cross bar 896 is arranged such that the cross bar 896 is allowed torotate, but is fixed from other movement relative to the frame members804. The timing gears 894 are located inside the frame members 804 asshown. The timing gears 894 engage teeth 898 on the legs 892. Thisengagement is maintained throughout the motion of the legs 892 betweenthe stowed position and the extended position. As a result, if the userapplies a greater force to one leg 892, as shown by force F, versus theother leg 892, the gear assembly 890 translates the force F to the otherleg 892 so that the legs 892 move in unison. In these embodiments, asingle locking element 899 may be used to lock both of the legs 892 tothe frame members 804 since movement of the legs 892 is synchronized bythe gear assembly 890.

Referring to FIGS. 25, 26A, 26B, and 27 , a cable support 900 isprovided for supporting a cable 902. The cable 902 may be any type ofcable. The cable 902 may be a power cable, data cable, communicationcable, and the like. In the embodiment shown, the cable 902 is disposedbetween the intermediate frame 38 and the footboard 60. The cable 902 issupported by the cable support 900, for example, during transition ofthe extension 802 from the stowed position to the extended position, andvice versa. The cable support 900 manages slack that would otherwiseoccur in the cable 902 without the cable support 900, for example, whenthe extension 802 is moved from the extended position to the stowedposition and the cable 902 unduly hangs down beneath the extension 802,as illustrated by hidden lines in FIG. 26B. The cable support 900prevents this condition.

The cable 902 has first and second connectors 904, 906 on opposing ends.The first connector 904 is connected to a first socket 908 on theintermediate frame 38. The second connector 906 is connected to a secondsocket 910 on the footboard 60. The cable 902 may be used to transmitpower and/or data between a controller 912 mounted to the intermediateframe 38 and a user interface 914 integrated into the footboard 60, suchas when the footboard 60 has on-board electronic controls.

The cable support 900 has a first end portion 916 connected to theintermediate frame 38 of the support structure 36 and a second endportion 918 connected to the base structure 806 of the extension 802.Each of the end portions 916, 918 comprise openings for receivingfasteners 925 to fix the end portions 916, 918 as indicated. The cablesupport 900 comprises a strip 920 of flexible material between the endportions 916, 918. The strip 920 comprises openings 922 for weaving thecable 902 therethrough to support the cable 902 as the extension 802moves from the stowed position to the extended position. Eight openings922 are shown, but more or fewer are possible in other embodiments. Insome versions, at least two openings are present to enable weaving ofthe cable though the openings.

In the embodiment shown, the strip 920 of flexible material is arrangedto flex such that the strip 920 limits motion of the cable 902. In oneembodiment, the strip 920 limits motion to two degrees of freedom as theextension 802 moves from the stowed position to the extended position.In particular, in this embodiment, motion is limited to horizontalmotion in a single x-y plane. The cable 902 is unable to move verticallyand is also unable to pitch, yaw, or roll. This is best illustrated inFIGS. 26A and 26B. FIG. 26A shows the strip 920 in an expanded, unflexedstate with the extension 802 in the extended position. FIG. 26B showsthe strip 920 in a collapsed, flexed state, with the extension 802moving toward the stowed position. To reach this state, the strip 920has essentially been flexed in equal halves as shown in FIG. 27 . Bylimiting motion of the cable 902, the cable 902 is unable to hang downin the manner shown in hidden lines in FIG. 26B.

It should be appreciated that the terms “include,” “includes,” and“including” have the same meaning as the terms “comprise,” “comprises,”and “comprising.”

Several embodiments have been discussed in the foregoing description.However, the embodiments discussed herein are not intended to beexhaustive. The terminology which has been used is intended to be in thenature of words of description rather than of limitation. Manymodifications and variations are possible in light of the aboveteachings.

What is claimed is:
 1. A patient support apparatus comprising: a supportstructure comprising a primary support surface for a patient, whereinsaid primary support surface has a head end and a foot end and saidprimary support surface extends longitudinally between said head end andsaid foot end; an extension manually movable by a user relative to saidsupport structure from a stowed position to an extended position so thatsaid extension provides auxiliary support for the patient in saidextended position; a locking device and a second locking device, saidlocking devices being spaced apart and cooperable to releasably holdsaid extension relative to said support structure in said stowedposition and said extended position; and a release mechanism operable tomanipulate said locking device to release said extension for movementrelative to said support structure, said release mechanism comprising arelease handle being longitudinally movable with said extension fromsaid stowed position to said extended position; wherein said lockingdevice includes a locking element and a biasing device arranged to biassaid locking element into engagement with one of said support structureor said extension; wherein said second locking device comprises a secondlocking element and a second biasing device arranged to bias said secondlocking element into engagement with one of said support structure orsaid extension; and wherein said release mechanism is configured tomanipulate said locking elements simultaneously includes a pair ofrelease members movable to disengage said locking elements to releasesaid extension for movement relative to said support structure.
 2. Thepatient support apparatus of claim 1, wherein said release mechanism isconfigured to manipulate said locking elements simultaneously to releasesaid extension for movement relative to said support structure uponone-handed operation of said release handle by the user.
 3. The patientsupport apparatus of claim 1, wherein said release mechanism furthercomprises a release actuator and a pair of links coupled to said releasemembers, said release actuator being manipulable by the user tosimultaneously move said links and said release members to disengagesaid locking elements from said support structure.
 4. The patientsupport apparatus of claim 3, wherein said release actuator comprises across member having opposing ends rotatably coupled to said extension, apair of arms fixed to said cross member and coupled to said links, andsaid release handle, wherein said release handle is manually operable torotate said cross member and said arms to move said links and saidrelease members to disengage said locking elements from said supportstructure.
 5. The patient support apparatus of claim 1, wherein saidlocking device is operable to engage one of said support structure orsaid extension at a first discrete location when said extension is insaid stowed position and at a second discrete location, longitudinallyspaced from said first discrete location, when said extension is in saidextended position.
 6. The patient support apparatus of claim 1, furthercomprising a footboard mounted to said extension to move with saidextension from said stowed position to said extended position.
 7. Thepatient support apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a cable supporthaving a first end connected to said support structure and a second endconnected to said extension, said cable support being flexible andcomprising openings for weaving a cable therethrough to support thecable as said extension moves from said stowed position to said extendedposition.
 8. The patient support apparatus of claim 7, wherein saidcable support further comprises a strip of flexible material arranged toflex such that said strip limits motion of the cable to two degrees offreedom as said extension moves from said stowed position to saidextended position.
 9. A patient support apparatus comprising: a supportstructure comprising a primary support surface for a patient; anextension manually movable by a user relative to said support structurefrom a stowed position to an extended position so that said extensionprovides auxiliary support for the patient in said extended position;and a cable support having a first end connected to said supportstructure and a second end connected to said extension, said cablesupport being flexible and comprising openings for weaving a cabletherethrough to support the cable as said extension moves from saidstowed position to said extended position, said cable support includinga strip of flexible material arranged to flex such that said striplimits motion of the cable to two degrees of freedom as said extensionmoves from said stowed position to said extended position.
 10. Thepatient support apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a lockingdevice operable to releasably hold said extension relative to saidsupport structure in said stowed position and said extended position.11. The patient support apparatus of claim 10, further comprising arelease mechanism operable to manipulate said locking device to releasesaid extension for movement relative to said support structure.
 12. Thepatient support apparatus of claim 11, wherein said release mechanism ismovable with said extension from said stowed position to said extendedposition.
 13. A patient support apparatus comprising: a supportstructure comprising a primary support surface for a patient; anextension manually movable by a user relative to said support structurefrom a stowed position to an extended position so that said extensionprovides auxiliary support for the patient in said extended position; alocking device operable to releasably hold said extension relative tosaid support structure in said stowed position and said extendedposition; a release mechanism operable to manipulate said locking deviceto release said extension for movement relative to said supportstructure, said release mechanism being movable with said extension fromsaid stowed position to said extended position; and a cable supporthaving a first end connected to said support structure and a second endconnected to said extension, said cable support being flexible andcomprising openings for weaving a cable therethrough to support thecable as said extension moves from said stowed position to said extendedposition, said cable support including a strip of flexible materialarranged to flex such that said strip limits motion of the cable to twodegrees of freedom as said extension moves from said stowed position tosaid extended position.